A Treasure Concealed (23 page)

Emily's embarrassment quickly turned to anger. “Marshal, I've come to find out what you've done about Kirk Davies.”

The marshal looked up in surprise. “I'm glad to see you've recovered, Miss Carver. How's your father doing?”

“He's alive. He may never walk again, but he's alive.” She fixed him with what she hoped was her most intimidating glare. “Now what of Kirk Davies?”

“Now, Miss Carver, you probably don't remember since you were suffering from a concussion, but I told you that night they brought you and your pa to Utica that Davies was in my jail when your attack happened.”

She leaned down. “And I told you he was there and I bit him. I bit him hard on the thigh after he knocked me to the ground. Go find him and make him show you his left thigh. That shouldn't be so difficult.”

“Well, truth is, I haven't seen anything of him.”

Emily crossed her arms. “Of course not. I suppose I'll have to track him down myself.” She turned to head for the door.

“Now, wait just a minute,” the marshal said, coming from around his small desk. “You can't go takin' the law into your own hands.” He grabbed hold of her arm and spun her around.

Emily pulled away from him. “Well, it appears someone must. You are most unwilling to do your job.”

He frowned. “You need to calm down, Miss Carver. I am doin' my job. Like I told you, Kirk Davies was here in my jail when you claim the attack took place. I don't know him very well, as he was new to this area and kept to himself, but I'm not a liar.”

She knew this was getting her nowhere. “If you'll excuse me, I'm quite tired and I've yet to arrange passage back to Yogo City.”

“Well, that I can be of help with,” the marshal said, sounding
quite relieved. “Just follow me out back. Jake Hoover is loading up some supplies. I'm bettin' he'd take you home.”

Jake was more than happy to have Emily's company. Despite the lack of light, he was headed to Millie's and knew she'd be glad to see Emily. He helped Emily mount one of his mules and repositioned a sack of flour behind her and one of sugar in front.

He secured a few other items to some of the other mules and then picked up the lantern that had afforded him light.

“If you don't mind holdin' on to this, we'll be on our way.”

Emily nodded and took the lantern. Jake took hold of the lead mule's rope and urged the animal forward. He began to tell Emily all about the happenings that had gone on in her absence. Emily didn't much care, and she certainly didn't feel like conversing. Her thoughts were still back on the beautiful woman engaged to Caeden.

Jake questioned her about her father, and when Emily didn't say more than a half dozen words, he broke into a story about a time he'd been shot. Emily barely heard the words as she battled her anger and disappointment. It seemed the only men she had thought to count on were of no use to her. Not her father. Not Caeden, and certainly not the marshal of Utica.

Their progress was slow but methodic. After about four hours Jake stopped. “We can rest for several hours and then go on if you like.” Emily's back and neck ached from the hours of stage travel and now her bareback adventure on the mule, but she was determined to reach Yogo.

“If you need to stop, that's fine. But don't do it on my account. I'd just as soon get home.”

He smiled. “I figured as much. We'll rest a bit and have us a fire to warm up with and then we'll push on.”

Emily definitely enjoyed the fire. She hadn't realized how cold she was. At times like this she longed for her old canvas coat,
but she had no idea where it had ended up after her father's shooting.

It wasn't long before they were back on the road and Emily finally felt some of her anger slip away. Jake seemed to sense this too and started posing questions.

“What are your plans, Miss Emily?”

She considered the matter for a moment. “Pa doesn't want me to sell the claim, so I guess I'm going to work it. We dug up quite a bit of dirt prior to his getting shot. I'll work with that for now.”

“I can't imagine he expects you to be doin' that.”

“I don't know exactly what he expects. I tried to talk him into letting me sell the claim and all the animals. The doctor doesn't know if Pa will ever recover his ability to walk. Pa says he will, and you know Pa. He's just stubborn enough to prove us all wrong.”

“Well, just the same, I don't think you should do it. It's not safe for a woman to live out there alone.”

“I thought I'd see if Millie would let me stay with her, maybe let me trade chores for rent.”

Jake nodded. “I'm sure she'll be happy to. You know Millie cares a great deal about you, as do I, Miss Emily. I'd like to help you out too. I'll go hunting tomorrow before I head off to the ranch. I want to make sure you have some meat.”

“Thank you, Jake. I do appreciate what you've done for us over this last year. I know Pa didn't very often pay you, but I'll do what I can to see you're compensated.”

“That ain't necessary, Miss Emily. Some folks can pay and some folks can't. I don't want you worryin' about it.”

After some time of traveling in the pitch-black night with nothing more than a lantern for light, Emily finally spied the lights of Millie's boardinghouse. She could already imagine
the warmth of a fire in the dining room and the comfort of a hot meal.

“Look there, Millie knew I was coming back tonight and stayed up to greet me. She's gonna be glad to see you too, Emily.”

“I don't know about that, but I'm glad to finally be here. I'm weary to the bone.” The long hours of travel left her unable to even think clearly. Jake helped her from the mule, and Emily took hold of his arm and gave it a squeeze. “You were a godsend, Jake. Thank you for bringing me here.”

He laughed and put his arm around her to pull her toward Millie's front door. “'Tain't no trouble. Besides, you know I've got a soft spot for the ladies.”

W
hen Caeden had found the marshal absent from the jail, he'd gone back to the hotel, hoping Emily might be there waiting for him. When he found she wasn't, he secured a room for himself and then went in search of her. After several hours he finally located the marshal, but the news wasn't what he wanted to hear.

“What do you mean she was here, but now she's gone to Yogo City?” Caeden asked the marshal.

“Just what I said. She came here and asked me about Kirk Davies and then she left. Headed back with Jake Hoover.”

Caeden wondered for a moment what he should do. To follow them he'd have to rent a horse again, and that would take time. What with it being the supper hour, the liveryman was probably elsewhere eating.

“I'm glad you stopped by, however,” the marshal said, pulling a piece of paper from his desk. “This telegram came for you. I went to hunt you down and learned about you heading over to Lewistown to check on the Carvers. I was going to have it
sent over with the stage in a day or so, but since you're here, I guess you've saved me the trouble.”

Caeden took the telegram and read it. The news wasn't at all what he wanted to hear. His geologist colleagues sent word that he was to make his way to Washington without delay. Apparently there was to be some sort of congressional committee meeting, and he was to give a report based on his findings. His absence would spell trouble for all of them and threaten a research project that was only just beginning. The meeting would take place a week from tomorrow. It didn't give Caeden a whole lot of time.

“Thanks.” He stuffed the telegram into his pocket.

He started to leave, but the marshal called him back. “I hope you'll be able to talk some sense into Emily Carver. She's convinced that Kirk Davies shot her pa, but like I told her, Davies was in jail. I'd only just let him go shortly before she and Henry Carver were brought to Utica. He couldn't have been the one to attack them.”

Caeden frowned. “It's not like Emily to lie about a thing.”

“I don't think she is lying,” the marshal countered. “I think that blow to her head caused her to think she knew the attacker. Since so much had happened with Davies prior to that, I think she just let her mind remember him.”

“I don't suppose there's any chance to question Davies about the situation.”

The marshal shrugged. “If you can find him, ask all the questions you like. I haven't seen him around. I even went out to that old cabin he's supposed to be holed up in, but there wasn't any sign of him. Maybe he's just layin' low.”

Caeden perked up at this. “Why would he need to lie low if he's done nothing wrong?”

Again the marshal shrugged. “I would imagine he's heard
about the Carvers and figures folks will blame him. It's just a guess.”

“Well, my guess is that he did have something to do with the attack and doesn't want to be too accessible for questioning.” Caeden headed once more for the door. “I will tell you this much. If you don't find him, I have a feeling Emily will.”

That thought scared Caeden more than he could say. If Emily set out to find Davies and prove that he was responsible for the attack, she would probably get herself killed.

It turned out to be impossible to rent a horse before morning, and when Caeden returned early the next day he had to pay an outrageous price to use the liveryman's own mount. He wasn't in any mood to dicker with the man but made it clear he wasn't happy. Nevertheless, with no other choices available, Caeden paid the price and headed to Yogo.

Exhausted, Caeden tried to keep his mind alert for any trouble on the road. Sleep had been nigh on impossible for him the night before. Over and over he kept seeing Emily's face when Arnold had announced his engagement to Catherine. The matter was simple to clear up, and had she but waited, Caeden could have done just that. Instead, she'd spent the night believing he belonged to another woman.

He pushed the horse to a gallop, knowing it probably wasn't the wisest thing to do. He might encounter bears or other problems. The bay gelding took it all in stride. He seemed familiar with the road, and the chill of the November day made him frisky. Caeden used this to his advantage and gave the horse his head. If he was able to keep up the pace, it wouldn't take but a few hours to reach Yogo.

He arrived without incident in Yogo City just after noon. He didn't bother to stop by Millie's or anywhere else. He rode straightaway to the Carvers' cabin, knowing he'd find Emily
there. He had gone over and over the things he would say, but now as he neared, Caeden wasn't at all sure that Emily would even want to hear them. And, even if she did, Caeden couldn't be sure she'd forgive him.

He remembered her recent dealings with the pastor in Lewistown. Emily had been notably changed, and she said it was all due to understanding more about God and His love. Caeden wanted to believe God's love was real, but the pain of his past kept niggling at his spirit. If God truly was love, then why had it been the one thing denied his mother?

She had your love and that of your sisters.

His mother had always said how much that love blessed her. Caeden remembered his mother was also quite loved by her own parents and siblings. Not only that, but she had a great many friends, all who adored her.

But my father didn't love her. He
only used and abused her.

He frowned. “Lord, I want to believe that you care—that you love me—that you loved her. I just don't understand why you let her suffer so. It hurts to remember her pain. It hurts to remember that I could do nothing to make it better.”

Emily's cabin was just ahead. Caeden spied smoke rising from the chimney and felt a sense of relief. He drew up to just in front of the shack and dismounted. He felt like a nervous schoolboy. How could one woman so deeply affect his sense of calm?

Caeden tied the horse off and drew a deep breath. There was no sense in worrying about how he'd explain. He just needed to find Emily and get the job done. Simple truth was the best. He knocked on the cabin door and waited.

Emily opened the door dressed in her old clothes and canvas coat. Her eyes widened at the sight of him. “What . . . why are you here?”

“You left without your things last night. I brought them. They're on my horse.” He motioned to the carpetbag he'd hooked over the horn of the saddle.

Without waiting for her to speak, he went back to retrieve the bag and brought it to her. “I had hoped to talk to you last night.”

“I didn't want to keep you from your friends.” She looked down at the ground and then stepped back. “You might as well come in. I need to talk to you about the things you sent.”

Caeden stepped into the house and put the bag down just inside the door. There were crates sitting all around the small single room, and all were unopened.

“I don't know what all you purchased, but you must take it back,” Emily began. “I can't take advantage of your generosity.”

“Nonsense. I bought these things as a way to thank you and your father for letting me stay here.”

Emily put her hands on her hips and turned to face him. “You already did that before you left. You bought food for us and helped chop wood. There was no need to send anything more.”

“I wanted to.” He stepped closer. “You lost almost everything in the fire, and I was moved by the generosity of your neighbors. Those people had little or nothing and yet they were willing to share. That impressed me and also shamed me. I have great wealth and have never practiced even a fraction of their giving.”

Emily nodded. “They are good people and so are you. I am certain that had the needs of others been presented, you would have been as lavish as you've been with us.”

“Then it's settled. You will keep what I've sent and enjoy it in the knowledge that it gave me great pleasure to do something useful with my money. Besides, it would cost a great deal of money to ship all those boxes back to Great Falls.”

She opened her mouth and looked as if she would protest,
but instead she gave a brief nod. “Very well. I don't suppose I will convince you otherwise.”

He smiled, feeling quite satisfied with himself. “No, you won't.”

“Well then, I appreciate that you brought the carpetbag all this way. I don't have anything in the way of refreshments to offer except for a cup of cold water.” She looked at the stove. “Jake's bringing some meat today, and I do have a few eggs and some bread Millie gave me. If you're hungry, I could make you something to eat.”

He nodded. “I'd like that. I left so early I didn't get breakfast.” He glanced over at the crates. “If you open some of these, you'll find a great deal of food. I bought up enough to get you through the winter as I figured it. There are quite a few canned items.” He looked around at the unopened boxes. “Why don't I start opening these while you cook?”

She looked hesitant, but Caeden didn't give her a chance to refuse. Instead he went to the stove and retrieved the poker. “I'll just pry off a few tops and we'll see what's what.”

Caeden was halfway through the crates when he remembered his real reason for coming. Trying to sound casual, he brought up the topic of the Arnolds. “Those folks you met last night are from New York. Mr. Arnold was a business associate of my father's. In fact it was Mr. Arnold and my father's idea that I should marry Catherine.”

“She's very beautiful. I can see why you would be happy to take her as a wife.”

“But I'm not.”

Emily turned from the stove. “You're not what?”

Caeden pulled a sack of flour from one of the crates. “I'm not taking her as a wife.”

Emily looked confused as her brow knit together. “But Mr. Arnold said she was your fiancée and you didn't correct him.”

“No, I didn't. There were . . . there are some extenuating circumstances, and I'd like to explain them.”

She turned back to her cooking. “There's no need. You certainly do not owe me an explanation.”

Caeden could see this wasn't going to be easy. “I think I do. It's important to me that you know the truth. When I left Albany I made it clear to Arnold that I had no intention of marrying anyone. I saw the wreckage left by my father and didn't want to risk doing that to someone else.”

Emily scooped out the scrambled eggs onto a plate, then turned her attention to slicing bread. She said nothing, so Caeden continued.

“Catherine and I were never a part of the decision making. We had grown up together, although she was much younger than I. Still, I never lied to her or told her that I planned to honor the arrangement. She knew I didn't love her.”

Still Emily said nothing, but Caeden knew she was listening. He only hoped that she would understand his current arrangement.

“When I went to Great Falls I had a chance to speak with Catherine alone. She told me that her father is in dire financial straits. He was victim to my father's schemes. At least that's what I was told. I have my uncle back in Albany checking on the situation.”

Emily plopped two pieces of buttered bread into the skillet. “Do you want me to make coffee?”

Caeden hoisted the large sack of flour and brought it to where Emily stood. “No. Where do you want this?”

She scrutinized the sack for a moment. “I suppose in the corner. I'm not sure how I'll ever keep the mice out of it.” She turned back to the bread.

Without waiting for further instruction, Caeden dumped the
sack in the corner and returned to the stove. He hoped Emily would finish with the cooking, then come sit with him while he finished telling her the story.

“I don't have any jam,” she said, flipping the pieces.

“That's fine. I'd like it very much if you would join me at the table so I can finish telling you what you need to know.”

“I need to know? What in the world would I need to know?” She looked at him without emotion, but rather than wait for an answer, she pointed to the table. “Go sit down.” She took up the plate of eggs. “I'll bring this to you in just a minute.” Emily turned her attention back to the stove, and Caeden felt he had no choice but to wait. He took a seat and watched her in silence. Just the sight of her made his heart beat faster. Her mother had once told him that God had sent him as a husband for Emily. He hadn't believed it then, but now her declaration seemed quite reasonable. Maybe God really did love him.

In a few minutes Emily placed the plate in front of Caeden. She then drew a fork from her apron pocket and set it alongside the plate. For a moment she did nothing but stand there staring down at the food. Caeden glanced at the plate. The toast was golden brown and the eggs cooked to perfection. “It looks delicious.” He pulled out the chair beside him. “Why don't you get a plate and share it with me.”

“I've already eaten.”

“Then please sit with me, and take off your coat, for pity's sake. You look as if you're about to run away.”

She acted as though she would refuse but finally nodded. She hung her coat on a nail by the door, then returned to take a seat at the table. Caeden bowed his head and offered thanks—something he hadn't done in a long time but that suddenly felt very right.

“Father, we give thanks for your provision. Amen.”

“Amen,” Emily murmured. She looked at him for a moment and sighed.

Caeden lost no time. “Once I knew the situation with Arnold and his finances, I realized he would stop at nothing to see Catherine married to a wealthy husband. Catherine is already in love with someone else, but he doesn't have the large fortune her father would like. She is terrified he will sell her off to one of his old cronies.”

“Sell her off? Like a slave?” Emily's tone was incredulous.

“In some ways. Arnold is the kind of man who sees Catherine as a prize to be bartered for. He would find the man who could most benefit his coffers and future plans. Then Bishop Arnold would force his daughter into marriage with that man.”